In Sickness and in Health

"do you take this man for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health..."

While we wrote our own vows for our ceremony, when Sweet Baboo & I attend a wedding, we inevitably hold hands, mouth the words of the traditional vows and give each other's hands a squeeze, reaffirming our commitment to each other. It is one of my favorite things about going to weddings - and while, the bride & grooom think it's their day, in some ways it is ours, our "first day of the rest of our lives" together.

In sickness and in health takes on such a different meaning when it's your baby who is sick. I don't know that I ever realized just how consuming it is to have a sick child. A few weeks ago Little Bit got what we assumed to be "just a cold", which included a very phlegmy cough. Suddenly the little boy who's been sleeping through the night consistently for a couple months was up during the night, coughing, crying, and sounding miserable... night after night I would pick him up and walk with him, then take him back to bed with me - where I could prop him on my arm to be sure his head remained elevated, and try to comfort the poor suffering kiddo.

The cold developed into bronchitis, so daycare was out, and we started into a busy week at work with a sick baby in tow, sleepless nights, more medications... when finally, mercifully, it broke. Little Bit & I enjoyed some much-needed sleep and started breathing easier. Sweet Baboo was wonderful throughout the ordeal, but at times it was obvious that Little Bit only wanted Mama.

I have never before realized just how much it takes out of a person to handle a sick child. With all Little Bit's health concerns (he has Downs, was born with 2 holes in his heart- 1 of which has closed, has a moderate hearing loss in one ear, has a herniated belly button, suffers ezcema, has been congested his whole life & may have some breathing issues), really, overall he's a happy baby and fairly healthy.

How do parents cope when their child is really ill? suffering for months? years? I can only think it's the grace of God that carried us through, and our battle was a short one... all things considered. I'm grateful to have come through the other side of this battle, but weary and a little sick myself. Thankfully the Lord is there for me in this too :~)